Postage Money Letters

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Although our Post Office system is much superior to what it was a few years ago, it is by no means perfect, nay, it is not at all to be compared with the post office system of some, other countries. Thus, for example, although the Post Office is entrusted to carry letters, papers, and books, it is not trusted with the carriage of money letters, specificially as such. This is the reason why private agents—express companies—are highly paid for carrying packages containing money between different cities. It would be a great convenience and benefit if our post office system was so amen-dedasto provide for the transport of money, at least in small quantities, by giving certificates and duplicates of deposit to the senders, which certificates sent in letters would entitle the receivers in any distant place to draw the amounts deposited from the Post Office there. To people in moderate or poor circumstances, but who have occasion sometimes to send money to friends, or for other honest purposes, this means of sending it would be a great convenience, and tend greatly to elevate the character of the Post Office in the estimation of our people. This system is pursued in the British Post Office; any amount of money can be sent by a Post Office certificate, from one part of that country to another. This system should be extended to nations, but we must first carry it out in our country. Why should it be said that we are behind any mo-narchial country in any system which relates to the benefit of the people. We should be the first of nations in every improvement, governmental and municipal, and we ought to take shame to ourselves in being regards in j postal improvements. We hope th-.t Con- j gress at the next session will seen end the j Post Office Law as to provide for the carriage of money by certificate, charging a certain amount for the extra trouble given to the Post Office.

Scientific American Magazine Vol 8 Issue 44This article was published with the title “Postage Money Letters” in Scientific American Magazine Vol. 8 No. 44 (), p. 349
doi:10.1038/scientificamerican07161853-349b

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